The word as it is recited in the Quran: Mahmoud Khalil Al-Hussary, Al-A’raf 7:73.
Salih in Islam
The prophet Salih was sent to Thamud with the she-camel of Allah as a sign (7:73); they killed it and were destroyed. His name appears nine times in the Quran, and the adjective ṣāliḥ 65 times with its plurals: Ibrahim prays, “My Lord, grant me a child from among the righteous” (37:100). Among the deeds that death does not cut off, the Prophet ﷺ counted “a righteous child who prays for him” (Muslim 1631).
Meaning of the name Salih
Salih is the active participle of salaha, “to be good, sound”, from the root ṣ-l-ḥ, the opposite of corruption (fasad): it describes an upright, virtuous person who does good, and also something fit for a purpose (ṣāliḥ li-). The same family gives ṣalāḥ (righteousness), iṣlāḥ (reform, reconciliation) and ṣulḥ (peace settlement). It is also the name of an Arabian prophet, so the name joins the proper noun and the adjective.
And to the Thamūd [We sent] their brother Ṣāliḥ. He said, "O my people, worship Allāh; you have no deity other than Him. There has come to you clear evidence from your Lord. This is the she-camel of Allāh [sent] to you as a sign. So leave her to eat within Allāh's land and do not touch her with harm, lest there seize you a painful punishment.
And to Thamūd [We sent] their brother Ṣāliḥ. He said, "O my people, worship Allāh; you have no deity other than Him. He has produced you from the earth and settled you in it, so ask forgiveness of Him and then repent to Him. Indeed, my Lord is near and responsive."
"When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a pious child who supplicates for him."
